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<\/p>\nMichael van Gerwen was at his best and breaking records during the Players Championship Finals on Saturday.<\/p>\n
MVG put in a historic performance against a hapless Ross Smith who was unable to match the Dutchman\u2019s incredible showing during the round of 32 at Minehead. Van Gerwen ran out 6-1 winner with an incredible tournament highest-ever average of 118.52.<\/p>\n
Van Gerwen hit six of his seven visits at the double, with the only missed dart coming on D16 in the final leg of the match which he duly moped up on D8. Despite his incredible average, he only hit three 180s \u2013 just one more than Smith managed.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Michael Smith's darts 'a criminal offence' as star is dumped out of Players Championship <\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Darts icons almost came to blows at Players Championship after star 'spat out his dummy' <\/b><\/p>\nGet your ultimate World Darts Championship 2024 preview here<\/h3>\n
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As Van Gerwen pinned the D8 to wrap up the victory, he turned to face Smith who pulled a face of disbelief at the form MVG was in during the game, even bowing at the near faultless performance from the Dutchman before he took the applause of the crowd.<\/p>\n
Like Smith, fans couldn\u2019t believe the masterclass they were watching from Van Gerwen as they reacted on Twitter. One commented: \u201cRoss Smith\u2019s reaction says it all really.\u201d A second wrote: \u201cAbsolutely incredible performance\u201d. While a third said: \u201cMVG casually doing GOAT stuff, what an amazing player he is,\u201d with a fourth hilarious reacting: \u201c118.5 average for MVG f***inghell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Do you think Michael van Gerwen will win the World Championship? Let us know in the comments section.<\/i> <\/b><\/p>\n
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Van Gerwen will take on Belgian Mario Vandenbogaerde in the last 16 later on Saturday evening with the winner to face either Kim Huybrechts, who beat Gerwyn Price 6-1 in the previous round, or Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Alongside Price, world champ Michael Smith has also been knocked out by number 83 rank Richard Veenstra, while Peter Wright failed to even qualify for the finals. Grand Slam winner and current Ally Pally favourite Luke Humphries is still in the running to rival Van Gerwen for the Players Championship crown as he faces Ryan Searle.<\/p>\n